Brockton, Easton girls revel in Archbishop Williams’ championship

Alana Gilmer and Jaylen Williams of Easton and Leah Spencer of Brockton play big roles in helping the Bishops capture the Division 3 state champioship.

By John Botelho

The Enterprise, Brockton, MA

By John Botelho

Posted Mar. 17, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Mar 17, 2013 at 5:03 PM

By John Botelho

Posted Mar. 17, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Mar 17, 2013 at 5:03 PM

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After playing her freshman year at Brockton High, Archbishop Williams junior point guard Leah Spencer made the decision to transfer and play the rest of her high school career for the Bishops.

The Brockton native cited a Catholic education, coupled with the impressive basketball program at Williams, as the driving forces behind her change of scenery.

On Saturday morning, Spencer helped add to the Archbishop Williams basketball legacy, serving as the floor general during the Bishops’ impressive 60-33 Div. 3 state title win over Western Mass. power Lee High.

Spencer finished with seven points, seven rebounds and five assists, as well as a state champion medal around her neck. Even before Saturday, though, the 5-foot-7 guard never once doubted her decision.

“Not at all,” Spencer said. “This was the right place for me. As soon as I got here, there was instant support. My teammates were great to me, the coaches were great to me. I couldn’t be happier.”

Spencer is hardly alone in being drawn to the Braintree school by the allure of an impressive basketball program.

Easton residents and long-time friends Alana Gilmer and Jaylen Williams both opted for Archbishop Williams hoping for their chance to raise an MIAA state championship trophy. The sophomores, who have played with and against each other since they started playing basketball, certainly did their part to make sure the Bishops would go home with a trophy in hand.

Williams, a Penn State commit, had her second consecutive double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. She also blocked three shots.

Gilmer poured in a team-high 14 points to go with five rebounds, three blocks and a pair of steals.

“This is by far the best basketball moment for us,” said Gilmer. “It’s a great feeling.”

Added Williams: “We’ve never won something this big, especially with a team like ours.”

All three players will return next season for the Bishops, who will move from Div. 3 to Div. 1. Even with the change in divisions, the goal will remain the same.

“We only have two years left,” said Williams. “We’re going to try our best to get this every year.”